Page 203 - Fine Japanese Art March 27, 2020 Galerie Zacke Netsuke and Okimono

226 | A VERY RARE HAMANO SCHOOL 228 | A VERY RARE MOTHER-OF-PEARL
SHIBUICHI AND GOLD HAKO NETSUKE NETSUKE OF A FROG
OF TWO MONKEYS
Unsigned
Unsigned Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Carved from a choice piece of shimmering mother-of-pearl with
Made from shibuichi of a high silver content and depicting a little inclusions, finely polished, and depicting a smiling frog
monkey delousing another monkey. The fur is finely incised, (kaeru). Large, asymmetrical himotoshi through the underside.
and their expressions are amusing, the eyes inlaid in gold. The Mother-of-pearl katabori netsuke of this quality are extremely
netsuke has a hidden mechanism, effectively making it a hako (box) rare.
netsuke – when pulling the two monkeys gently apart, an opening
is revealed, which shows fine gilding. The underside shows the well- LENGTH 4.5 cm
carved paws and the himotoshi.
Condition: Excellent condition.
HEIGHT 3.9 cm Provenance: French private collection.
WEIGHT 70 g
Auction comparison: Another mother-of-pearl netsuke of similar
Condition: Excellent quality was sold at Zacke, Fine Netsuke, Sagemono & Okimono, 2
condition. November 2011, Vienna, lot 86.
Provenance:
European collection. Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,-
Literature
comparison: An
older model, signed
Hamano Noriyuki,
is illustrated in
the Journal of The
International Netsuke
Collectors Society, Vol.
3, no. 1, May 1975, p.
31, no. 75.
Estimate EUR 4.000,-
Starting price EUR 2.000,-

229 | A RARE SPERM WHALE TOOTH
NETSUKE OF A CHUBBY KARAKO
227 | AN UNUSUAL AND RARE INLAID Unsigned
DRIFTWOOD NETSUKE OF A SNAKE Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)

Unsigned
Japan, 19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) Netsuke made from sperm whale tooth (cabochon) are incredibly
rare and unique in their appearance. The material is very smooth,
and almost white with a yellowish hue and many inclusions.
A piece of natural driftwood, with a beautiful grain, embellished with Depicted is a chubby boy dressed in an apron, which he holds up
a coiled copper snake in the center. The scales are finely incised, in the front, revealing his genitals. He is looking upwards to his
and the glaring eyes are inlaid in gold. The snake is held in place by left, the facial features achieved very expressively. Good and large
a metal peg which forms a loop on the other side, which functions himotoshi through the side and back.
as himotoshi. One of the sides is inlaid with bow-shaped ivory inset.
HEIGHT 5.4 cm
LENGTH 5 cm
Condition: One very small age crack on the back, plugged nerve
Condition: Natural cracks and some wear to the snake. Good channel on the inside of the thigh and restored feet - generally, in
condition. good condition.
Provenance: French private collection. Provenance: Viennese private collection.
Estimate EUR 1.500,- Estimate EUR 1.500,-
Starting price EUR 750,- Starting price EUR 750,-

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